Famed racing lodge on three acres

The Curragh €575,000: A house and training stables - home to many a race winner - is for sale in Co Kildare, reports Kate McMorrow.

One of the best known racing lodges on The Curragh has come on the market needing considerable refurbishment.

French House was the home and training stables of "Chally" Chute, the renowned racehorse trainer who died recently. Jordan Auctioneers is expecting the house and three acres plus stable yard to fetch in excess of €575,000 prior to auction on November 23rd.

Anyone with an interest in the racing business will know this fine but sadly deteriorating period house and stableyard, which has housed a succession of legendary winners. Most notable were Madam Du Barry, Irish Derby winner in 1878, Orby who was the first Irish-trained winner of the Epsom Derby and Lady Kells who won, among many titles, the 1949 Blandford Stakes.

Late owner Chally Chute was a much-loved figure in equestrian circles, who's obituary in The Irish Field noted that he "left an indelible mark on Irish racing and breeding". He died in the Jockey Hospital on The Curragh on August 27th last.

The house is one of those wonderful places with ancient spreading oaks and 278.7 sq m (3,000 sq ft) of interior space, all in need of substantial refurbishment. Ideally, the new owner will want to restore the magnificent but run-down stable yard to its original condition, perhaps continuing the racing heritage of the famous establishment.

It is one of the few yards on The Curragh that has direct access onto the Gallops and the Maddenstown all-weather gallops, with just a short canter to the schooling grounds. Kildare is two miles away, Newbridge four and Dubin 30 miles to the north.

The accommodation, almost a side issue, comprises four bedrooms, two receptions and a kitchen and bathroom. There is a large paddock to the rear and 26 looseboxes with ancillary feedstores.